School Services

Gifted Education

In order for a student to qualify for the gifted program, three of the four categories below must be met:

Mental Ability - 96th percentile

Achievement - 90th percentile on total battery or total math or total reading

Creativity - Standardized test-90th percentile total battery or three or more school generated products/performances with a score of 90 or above on a scale of 1-100

Motivation - GPA at or above 3.5(on a 4.0 scale) over the previous two years or standardized motivational rating scale with a score of 90 or above on a scale of 1-100

Students in grades K-12 in the Irwin County School District who demonstrate a high degree of intellectual, academic and/or creative ability are provided with special instructional services by the Program for Gifted Students. Eligibility criteria for placement are determined by the State Board of Education. Referrals for consideration for eligibility for gifted services may be made by teachers, counselors, administrators, parents or guardians, peers, self and other individuals with knowledge of the student’s abilities.

For a summary of eligibility criteria or for further information about Irwin County’s Program for Gifted students, please contact the gifted education teacher(s) at your child’s school or Dr. Stacie Howard, system Gifted Program Coordinator, at 468-9510. The Irwin County School System Gifted Manual is also available on the Irwin County School System website.

Guidance

The school counselor is here to help students. A student may sign up for an appointment. A pass will then be sent to let the student know when his/her appointment has been scheduled.

Parents may want to talk with teachers or a counselor concerning grades, adjustment problems, course requirements, or other areas of concern. They may make an appointment with the counselor by calling the school.

Hospital/Homebound

The HHB program provides academic instruction and other services provided to eligible students who are confined at home or in a health care facility for periods of time that would prevent normal school attendance based upon certification of need by the licensed physician or licensed psychiatrist who is treating the student for the presenting diagnosis.

HHB Services are available to students who need to be absent from school for a minimum of ten (10) consecutive days because of a non-communicable disease or illness.

HHB Services must be requested through the school office by the student and parent/guardian.

A completed written medical referral form signed by a licensed physician or licensed psychiatrist who is currently treating the student for the diagnosis presented must be submitted to the LEA for HHB services to be considered.

Following approval of HHB services, a meeting will be required including the student, parent/guardian, administration, and all classroom teachers to develop an Educational Service Plan (ESP), discuss services and expectations. The ESP shall include a school re-entry plan.

A student who is on the Hospital Homebound Program is counted present in school. Work is assigned by the classroom teachers.

O.C.G.A. 160-4-2-.31 (effective 11/24/09)

Response to Intervention

Response to Intervention is a continuum of evidence-based, system-wide academic and behavioral practices to support a rapid response to academic and behavioral needs, with frequent data-based monitoring for instructional decision-making to empower each student to achieve high standards. Support is provided through a multi-tiered intervention system including the following components:

Health Clinic

Regina Cook, RN

The school nurse is available on a daily basis to provide care for students’ basic health care needs.

Students who need to see the nurse should ask his or her teacher to contact the office to have the student's name put on the sign-up sheet. The nurse will contact the student when it is his or her turn.

Medications

All medications will be dispensed through the Nurse’s office.

Medication will only be dispensed with written permission and instructions either from the parent/guardian or physician.

All medications must be kept in the original container with proper identification, and should be brought to the office immediately upon arrival on campus.

Students should not keep any medicine with them, except asthma inhalers as deemed necessary by student’s doctor or school nurse.

"No Nit" Policy

Irwin County Schools continue to enforce a “No Nit Policy” and the National Pediculosis Association recognizes this policy “as the public health standard intended to keep children lice free, nit free, and in school.”

The No-Nit Policy simply means the student is temporarily dismissed from school until hair is free of lice and nits before returning to school. Close contacts, family members, bed mates should be examined and treated only if they are also infested. After an infested student has been treated at home and then checked by their health care provider/health dept., they may return to school with a “No Nit Clearance Note” from their provider, which must be submitted to the main office before class.

Special Education

Child Find

The purpose of Child Find is to identify, locate, and evaluate children and youth, birth to age 21, who are suspected of, or have a disability or developmental delay in order to provide free and appropriate Special Education Services. Irwin County Schools serves children ages 3 through 21 with identified Special Education needs.

Parents/guardians of students who suspect their child may have a disability should contact the teacher, principal or the school’s Student Support Team leader.

Exceptional Student Education

Special Education services are provided to meet the needs of students with disabilities. Programs are provided for students in all disability areas recognized by the State of Georgia. Programs are provided based on the identified needs of each student. If you child has a learning or behavior problem, or if you suspect that your child has a disability, you should contact the principal or Student Support Team leader at your child’s school, or contact Dr. Stacie Howard, Irwin County School System Special Education Director.

Under provisions of the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship, parents of student who receive Special Education services may choose to transfer their children to other public or private schools in Georgia. For additional information, please visit the Georgia Department of Education website at http://public.doe.k12.ga.us, or contact Irwin County School System Special Education Director, Dr. Stacie Howard at (229) 468-9510.

Section 504

Section 504 protects all qualified students with disabilities, defined as those persons having a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities (Caring for one's self, Performing manual tasks, Walking, Seeing, Hearing, Speaking, Breathing, Working, Learning).

Parents or guardians of students who have reason to believe their child may have a disability as defined under Section 504 and may require special accommodations in the general education setting should contact the school’s principal, counselor, or Irwin County School System 504 Director, Dr. Stacie Howard at (229) 468-9510.